AbilityLab Blog
See the latest news, updates and patient stories from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 34th Consecutive Year
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab again has been recognized as the national leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, topping the U.S. News & World Report list for the 34th consecutive year. It remains the only hospital of any kind to hold this distinction.
Press Release
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A Day in the Life: Mary Yonkaitis, Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) play a critical role on the care teams at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab —helping patients regain function and improve balance, mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion.
Follow along for a day in the life of Mary Yonkaitis, a PT in the Margaret & Mark Stephan Legs + Walking Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s flagship hospital in Chicago, where she primarily cares for patients recovering from stroke.
Follow along for a day in the life of Mary Yonkaitis, a PT in the Margaret & Mark Stephan Legs + Walking Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s flagship hospital in Chicago, where she primarily cares for patients recovering from stroke.
Blog
Will’s Story: Covering Miles while Making Marathon Memories
Chicago resident Will H. is a regular on the city’s scenic lakefront path, often commuting approximately 10 miles each way between his downtown residence to University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, where he is pursuing his MBA degree.
Patient Story
Reflections from Paris with Monica Rho, MD, Lead Team Physician of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team
Usually Monica Rho, MD, can be spotted in a white coat in her role as the Reva and David Logan Section Chief of Musculoskeletal Medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Recently, however, she has spent time in an additional role. She serves as the lead team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team — and was part of the staff who helped the players win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Recently, however, she has spent time in an additional role. She serves as the lead team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team — and was part of the staff who helped the players win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Blog
Three Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Nurses Receive 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award
Three Shirley Ryan AbilityLab nurses — Rachel Adekoya, RN, nurse manager; Katie Earnest, RN, director, Nursing Research; and Lindsay Hong, RN, nurse manager — have been recognized by the Illinois Nurses Foundation with the 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award.
News
Understanding and Applying Pain Science in Physical Therapy
Science has come a long way in helping individuals understand the experience of pain. Previously, pain was believed to be a result of a purely physical or anatomical issue, stemming from injury, illness or tissue damage.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Blog
Megan’s Story: Movement Is Key to Living with Chronic Pain
Megan lived with chronic pain for over 20 years. She participated in our four-week pain program to learn strategies and techniques to help navigate daily pain.
Patient Story
A Focus on Women’s Health: Pelvic Floor Health, Exercise, Bone Density & More
Women’s Health & Fitness Day is celebrated every year to promote the importance of health awareness and physical activity in women. In recognition, here is a roundup of articles about pelvic floor health, exercise, bone density and more by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s women’s health experts.
Blog
Graded Motor Imagery for Managing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can interfere with an individual’s participation in daily activities, including sports and recreation, hobbies, housekeeping, cooking, self-care, personal hygiene and social engagement. In fact, individuals may find themselves moving less or avoiding these activities entirely due to a fear of pain.
Blog
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Patient Featured in Science News Story About Chronic Pain Alternatives
Science News, an independent, nonprofit science news publication, recently featured Shirley Ryan AbilityLab patient Megan H. in a story about the growth in alternative treatments for chronic pain — and how many people living with chronic pain could benefit from a broad mix of treatments beyond pharmacological options.
News
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Psychologist Featured in PBS Next Avenue Story about Chronic Pain
Next Avenue, a digital PBS publication, recently featured Shirley Ryan AbilityLab clinical psychologist Claire Pedersen, PsyD, in a story about the connection between chronic pain and anger — and how anger can have an impact on the perception, intensity and frequency of pain.
News
Managing Chronic Pain through Mindfulness
For individuals who live with chronic pain — either from an injury, illness or chronic condition — it can be challenging to remain present. Pain can lead to an increased focus on physical symptoms and internal feelings, which can exacerbate the pain experience.
Blog
Research Spotlight: How Much Do People with Aphasia Really Talk in the Real World?
A new, first-of-its-kind study from the Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab explores how limited “talk time” truly is among individuals with aphasia. Findings revealed that people with aphasia talk for less than one minute per hour.
Blog